Well-being in high-risk pregnancy: an integrative review

Abstract

Background: A prerequisite to the interventions for well-being improvement in high-risk pregnancy (HRP) is to make the concept clear, objective, and measurable. Despite the wealth of studies into the concept of well-being in high-risk pregnancy, there is no clear definition for it. This study aimed to explore the concept of well-being in high-risk pregnancy. Methods: This integrative review was conducted using the Whittemore and Knafl's approach. A literature search was done without any data limitation in dictionaries, thesauruses, encyclopedias, well-being-related textbooks, midwifery, psychology, and mental health journals, and Iranian and international databases. The most primary inclusion criterion was relevance well-being in high-risk pregnancy. The full-texts of all articles were assessed using the checklists of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Data were analyzed through the constant comparison method and were managed using the MAXQDA 10 software. Meaning units were identified and coded. The codes were grouped into subcategories and categories according to the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of well-being in high-risk pregnancy. Results: Thirty articles were included in the review, from which 540 codes were extracted. The codes were grouped into seven main attributes, eight main antecedents, and five main consequences of well-being in HRP.Findings showed that the four dimensions of well-being in high-risk pregnancy concept were physical, mental-emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Conclusion: As a complex and multidimensional concept, well-being in high-risk pregnancy refers to the pregnant woman's evaluation of her life during high-risk pregnancy. It includes physical, hedonic, and eudaimonic components. The assessment of well-being in HRP should include all these components. Keywords: Well-being, Pregnancy, High-risk pregnancy allows the assessment of both empirical and non-empirical studies. In this method, concepts are defined, theories and evidence are reviewed, and methodological issues related to the intended concept are analyzed to extract its attributes, antecedents, and consequences, further clarify the concept, and provide a better understanding and clearer definition for it (20,21).